Back-to-School Backpacks Can Hide Unexpected Pet Hazards, ER Veterinarians Say

AUSTIN, Texas (Aug. 19, 2026) — The backpack dropped on the floor after school may contain homework, forgotten snacks, medications and several items that emergency veterinarians say can put curious pets in the hospital.

Emergency veterinarians at Thrive Pet Healthcare hospitals in Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Texas consistently identify grapes, raisins, chocolate, human medications and sugar-free gum or candy containing xylitol among the backpack hazards that concern them most.

“A pet can look completely normal immediately after an ingestion,” said Dr. Brittany King, an emergency veterinarian at Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists in Mansfield, Texas. “That’s why suspected ingestion of human medications, xylitol, grapes or raisins shouldn’t become a wait-and-see situation.”

Dr. Noelle Herrera, a critical care specialist at Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency in Decatur, Georgia, treated a dog that got into a child’s backpack and ate about half a pack of sugar-free gum containing xylitol.

The dog developed dangerously low blood sugar and liver injury and was hospitalized for three days. Treatment included intravenous dextrose and medications to protect the liver.

“Xylitol-containing gum is one of the backpack exposures that concerns me most,” Dr. Herrera said. “A dog can develop low blood sugar and liver injury, so this needs immediate veterinary attention even if the dog initially seems fine.”

Xylitol isn’t limited to gum. Dr. King said the sweetener may also be found in some candies, medications, and supplements.

Dr. King considers human medications among the most underestimated backpack hazards. Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause severe agitation, abnormal heart rate and blood pressure, increased body temperature, tremors, and seizures in pets.

“To a dog, a backpack can be an easily accessible source of potentially toxic medication,” Dr. King said.

Other veterinarians also cited ADHD medications and albuterol inhalers as concerns. Depending on the exposure, pets may develop heart rhythm abnormalities, neurologic symptoms or other problems requiring emergency treatment.

Dr. Stan Mikula, an emergency veterinarian at Heart of Texas Veterinary Specialty Center in Round Rock, Texas, recently treated a dog that got into a teenager’s backpack and ate a sandwich that had apparently been there for about two months. The parents didn’t know it was still inside.

The dog vomited and later developed acute liver injury.

“A sandwich, snack or piece of fruit that was harmless when it was packed may be a very different exposure weeks later,” said Dr. Mikula. “Dogs are remarkably good at finding food that everyone in the house has forgotten about.”

Spoiled or moldy food may expose pets to toxins and cause gastrointestinal illness.

Dr. Leslie Holsapple, an emergency veterinarian at Heart of Texas Veterinary Specialty Center, warns that early signs of grape or raisin toxicity may be easy to miss.

“The only early sign may be nausea, and once they are in severe kidney failure, it may be too late,” Dr. Holsapple said.

She has treated pets for exposures involving grapes, raisins, xylitol, chocolate and ADHD medications, with outcomes influenced by the amount ingested and how quickly medical care began.

Dr. Teresa Monroe, an emergency veterinarian at Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, warns that empty chip and snack bags pose a suffocation risk. A dog searching for crumbs may put its head inside the bag, which can tighten around its face as the dog breathes.

Dr. Monroe has also treated pets that swallowed pens, earbuds, socks, jewelry and toys. Dr. Herrera recently treated a vomiting dog with a habit of eating dry tissues, and Dr. King warned that swallowed batteries can cause corrosive gastrointestinal injuries.

Dr. Allison VanSickle, an emergency veterinarian at Capital Veterinary Specialists in Jacksonville, Florida, said the prevention message is simple.

“Keep backpacks zipped and safely out of your pet’s reach,” Dr. VanSickle said. “Curious pets can easily get into them and ingest potentially dangerous items, including raisins, xylitol-containing gum or candy and medications.”

Thrive veterinarians recommend regularly emptying food and trash from backpacks, storing medications separately and placing backpacks on hooks, shelves or inside closed closets rather than on floors, couches or beds.

Backpacks belonging to friends and classmates can pose an added risk because pet owners may not know what’s inside them.

To find a Thrive Pet Healthcare location near you, including primary, specialty, urgent and emergency veterinary care, visit thrivepetcare.com.